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| Franklin School Cmte: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 23 - 6 PM |
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| Sustainability Subcommittee schedules their meeting at the Winter Farmers Market - Dec 16 |
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| Master Plan Update Cmte and Subcommittee meetings for Week of Dec 11 to Dec 13 |
1. Meeting Minutes: September 13 & 27, 2023 & October 25, 20232. Subcommittee Updates3. Existing Conditions & Inventory Draft Report - Discussion4. Tabling and outreach for Survey5. 2024 Meeting Dates
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-november_29_2023_0.pdf
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| Master Plan Update Cmte discusses, Inventory Report, Survey, Outreach efforts, & approves Meeting schedule for 2024 (video) |
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| Master Plan Update Committee & Subcommittee schedules for week of 11/27 - 11/30 |
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| Master Plan Update Committee & Subcommittee schedules for week of 11/27 - 11/30 |
1. Meeting Minutes:2. Subcommittee Updates3. Update – Existing Conditions & Inventory (BETA/Barrett)4. Finalize Surveya. Deadline (30 days from launch)b. Incentives/Raffle Prizes5. Tabling and outreach for Survey6. Story Map ideas
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| Master Plan Update Committee meets Wednesday, subcommittee meetings Mon, Tues |
AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact, be discussed, and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
● Discuss the scope of the facilities analysis
● Demographic update - McKibben
● Facilities Assessment Request for Proposal Discussion
● Educational Visioning Discussion
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| Franklin Public Schools: Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcmte - Oct 4 at 5 PM |
Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/community_relations_harvest_festival_posting_2023.pdf
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| Master Plan Update Committee & Subcommittee meetings 9/18 to 9/27 |
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
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| Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcmte Meeting scheduled for Sep 6 - 5 PM |
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| Master Plan Update Committee discusses timeline, outreach, survey and more in 2 hour session (video) |
The draft facility conditions report is interesting reading even though it is incomplete. An entire section (Section 2) covers various code compliance requirements.
Section 3 covers the building conditions (page 18 of 55) which opens with the following text:
STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONSOn February 24, 2023, in the company of Mr. Mike D’Angelo, the Facilities Director for the Franklin Public Schools, I visited the former Devis Thayer Elementary School at 137 West Central Street in Franklin, MA for the purpose of conducting a preliminary evaluation of the current physical condition of the building based solely on my visual observations. It is our understanding that the city is very interested in the historic preservation of this building and its potential reuse for some other type of occupancy rather than educational. The former school building has been vacant for some time, but well maintained, heated, and secured.
The following report is based upon our general impressions, and not on any detailed structural analysis, which could be performed, if necessary, under a later study. This report will outline any obvious structural deficiencies or limitations that would affect the continued use of the building.
The building was constructed in 1924, as can be seen on the buildings cast stone inscription. There are no original building plans available for this review which would indicate the framing sizes and direction of framing for the various building areas. However, the existing drawings for the renovations performed in 1972 are available for reference. The footprint of the present building appears to be identical to the original construction. The portable classrooms and rear fire escape were demolished some time ago.
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| Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee Meeting - August 15, 2023 - 7 PM |
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| A busy August for the Master Plan Update Committee and its subcommittees |
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| You can filter the Town calendar by committee to get the view of the month for a committee |
The Town Council has established the Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee to evaluate potential strategies and future uses for the building and parcel of land the building is located on.
The Committee will:
- Conduct an assessment of current conditions and possible uses;
- Conduct a market appraisal of the property;
- Engage community stakeholders and citizen input through a public listening series; and
- Evaluate potential future uses and make a final report to the Town Council by December 23, 2023
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| Davis Thayer School sign from May 2019 |
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| Master Plan Update Committee met June 28, 2023 beginning at 6:42 PM |
FM #1004 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1004 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, June 5, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session. A few residents logged in to the meeting. 2 others were in the training room.
Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee members Dave Callaghan and Denise Spencer were present. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Miriam Goodman also participated.
Quick recap
Superintendent Lucas Giguere started with a recap to set the stage for where the group was coming into the discussion tonight. He outlined the Superintendent's proposed budget, increased by the School Committee, Town allocation revealed a $2.3M shortfall ($3.4M vs. 1.1M allocation). The Town Administrator has a plan to add $700K to the schools budget which is up for approval at the Council meeting Wednesday, June 7
Business Manager Miriam Goodman provided additional details updating from the prior working session where they had five categories of proposed cuts to bring about a balance, it was now down to three categories. 30 personnel were slotted for reduction, now with the additional funding, it will be 22 slotted for reduction ( a savings of 8 positions). 11 other involuntary transfers were made within the district to balance the staffing
Discussion around the middle school late bus being one of the cuts. Apparently complicated by the lateness of the bus in its return run to the middle school, and apparently reducing its ridership (folks not waiting for it). Longer term, the complexity of bus schedule needs to be adjusted but for now, cutting the bus
Discussion on the contract requirements for teachers with more seniority and equivalent (or better) certifications to ‘bump’ those without professional teacher status (PTS). Hence, while middle school has 2 music teachers this year, next year they will still have 2 music teachers, but the people will be different than this year
All notifications of personnel potentially affected by the reductions have been made. The final determination remains based upon the ultimate budget outcome
Discussion on not increasing the athletic fees as that would potentially reduce the number of athletes, and thereby reduce the athletic fee revenue. Hence the decision to reduce the number of competitions for non-varsity teams along with associated other expenses to help create the amount of reduction required
Next step, based upon the Council decision on Wednesday, the proposal will be adjusted accordingly to bring to the full committee meeting on June 13 at which point the final budget needs to be approved and notifications confirmed for those individuals affected
The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs just under an hour, so let’s listen to the School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting of June 5, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1004-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-06-05-23
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Budget Subcommittee agenda for June 5
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-budgetsubcom-6-5-23.pdf
FY 2024 Budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget
Town FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KEZdIg_g-o_U9HZ3qjeCRfKiYo5UIF-F/view?usp=drive_link
The show notes for School Committee member Dave Callaghan’s recent interview includes links to the Town Council and Finance Committee budget hearing if you need to catch up on any of those
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/school-committee-member-dave-callaghan.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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| School Committee Budget Subcommittee listens and clarifies details on how to balance the budget - 06/05/23 (audio) |
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